Cover assembly for bearing

ABSTRACT

A bearing cover assembly can be assembled to a bearing housing in which a rolling element bearing is accommodated. The bearing housing assembly includes an annular adapter and an end cap that can be mated together. The annular adapter can have a tapered inner annular surface and can be inserted into the housing bore of the bearing housing. The end cap can have a corresponding outer tapered surface. When the end cap is inserted into the adapter hole defined by the annular adapter, the sliding contact between the tapered inner annular surface and the outer surface radially expands the annular adapter inside the housing bore creating a positive engagement retaining the bearing cover assembly to the bearing housing.

BACKGROUND

Rolling element bearings are anti-friction devices used to rotatablysupport shafts in industrial settings and mechanical equipment. Rollingelement bearings include a plurality of rolling elements such asspherical balls or cylindrical rollers that are located between innerand outer bearing rings, referred to as races, and the rolling elementsare arranged so that they can roll along the inner and outercircumferences of the respective inner and outer bearing races. Therolling elements enable the inner and outer bearing races to rotate withrespect to each other. A rotating shaft that is fixedly mounted to theinner bearing race can thus rotate with respect to the outer bearingrace that may be fixedly mounted to a stationary supporting structure.

The rolling element bearings may be supported in a bearing housing suchas, for example, a pillow block housing or a flange housing that mountsthe bearing to the supporting structure. The bearing housing may be madeof cast iron or a similar structural material to rigidly support thebearing and transfer loads from the shaft to the supporting structure.The bearing housing includes a housing bore disposed through thestructure in which the rolling element bearing is located. The shaft canextend into the housing bore from either side of the housing structure.In some embodiments, the axial end of the shaft may be located in thebearing housing such that the shaft is anchored by the rolling elementbearing mounted therein, while in other embodiments the shaft may extendthrough the bearing housing.

To cover the housing bore, for example, to prevent unintended contactwith the rotating shaft therein and to prevent contamination and debrisfrom interfering with the bearing, bearing covers may be attached to thebearing housing. Common attachment mechanisms include using bolts or setscrews to fasten the bearing cover to the housing or press-fitting apolymer cap into the housing bore. Such attachments methods, however,require that machining processes be undertaken or the cover mayunintentionally dislodge due to incidental contact. These attachmentmethods may further require compatibility between the style and/ordimension of the bearing housing and the corresponding bearing cover.The present disclosure is directed to an improved bearing cover assemblyto facilitate attachment to a bearing housing.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The disclosure describes a bearing cover assembly for enclosing thehousing bore of a bearing housing accommodating a rolling elementbearing that may be used to support a rotating shaft. The bearing coverassembly includes an annular adapter and an end cap that can be matedtogether. The annular adapter may be inserted into the housing bore ofthe bearing housing and includes a tapered inner annular surface thatdefines an adapter hole. The end cap can include a tapered outer surfacethat may generally correspond in dimension to the tapered annular innersurface of the annular adapter. When the end cap is inserted into theannular adapter, sliding contact between the tapered inner annularsurface and the tapered outer surface radially expands the annularadapter in the housing bore, thereby positively retaining the bearingcover assembly to the bearing housing through a mechanical engagement.The annular adapter may include axially extending first and second latcharms that can extend around the end cap and that can be received incorresponding recesses disposed on the end cap. A radially inward barbon the distal end of the latch arms can catch on the recesses to securethe annular adapter and end cap together.

A possible advantage of the disclosure is that the bearing coverassembly is securely and positively engaged to the bearing housing so asto prevent unintentional dislodgement of the bearing cover assembly.Another possible advantage is that the ability of the annular adapter toradial expand or contract with respect to the housing bore enables thebearing cover assembly to possibly fit a variety of bearing housings.These and other possible advantages and features will be apparent fromthe following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bearing cover assembly with atwo-piece configuration including an annular adapter and an end cap asmounted to a bearing housing.

FIG. 2 is a perspective assembly view of the bearing cover assembly inrelation to the bearing housing illustrating the method of attachment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective assembly view of the bearing cover assemblyillustrating axially projecting latch arms extending from the annularadapter in relation to corresponding recesses disposed on the end cap.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the bearing cover assembly attachedto the bearing housing illustrating radial expansion of the annularadapter by the end cap inserted therein.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bearing cover assembly attached tothe bearing housing illustrating set screws that may be threaded intothe annular adapter to radially bear on the end cap inserted into theadapter.

FIG. 6 is a perspective assembly view of an embodiment of the end capthat may be constructed from two complementary parts.

FIG. 7 is a perspective assembly view of an embodiment of the end capthat may be configured to form a snap-fit connection with the annularadapter.

FIG. 8 is a perspective assembly view of an embodiment of the end capthat may be configured to form a bayonet mount with the annular adapter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Now referring generally to FIGS. 1-4 where, whenever possible, likereference numbers will refer to like elements, there is illustrated abearing cover assembly 100 configured for attachment to a bearinghousing 102 which defines a circular housing bore 104 disposed throughit and in which a rolling element bearing 106 can be accommodated. Thehousing bore 104 and rolling element bearing 106 define an axis line 108extending there through. In addition to being used on a bearing housing,in various applications the cover assembly can be used on an enclosedgear box. When a rotating shaft is supported in the bearing housing 102,it can align and rotate with respect to the axis line 108. The bearinghousing 102 may be configured as a pillow block as illustrated that canmount to a supporting structure that supports the loads transmitted fromthe shaft. The bearing housing 102 can be made of cast iron or a similarrigid material of suitable strength and may include lubrication ports orgrease fasteners to receive lubrication for the rolling element bearing106. In accordance with the disclosure, however, the bearing housing 106may have other suitable configurations and be made of other materials.

To enclose the exposed aperture of the housing bore 104 on either sideof the bearing housing 102, the bearing cover assembly 100 can have atwo-piece construction configured to be assembled to and engage thehousing. The bearing cover assembly 100 can include an annular adapter110 that may be partially inserted into the housing bore 104 and an endcap 112 that can be mated with the annular adapter in a manner thatexpands the bearing cover assembly to positively engage the housing bore104. The annular adapter 110 and the end cap 112 can be made from amolded thermoplastic material or steel having a resilient or flexiblecharacteristic that enables the annular adapter to radially expandwithin the housing bore and secure the bearing cover assembly to thebearing housing.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, to mate with the end cap 112, the annularadapter 110 can be an annular, ring-like structure that, when assembledto the bearing housing 102, extends circumferentially about and isconcentrically aligned with the axis line 108. The annular adapter 110can include an intermediate shoulder flange 120 that may be sized anddimensioned slightly larger than the housing bore 104 and configured toaxially abut against the face of the bearing housing 102 into which thehousing bore 104 is disposed. For axial insertion into the housing bore104, the annular adapter 110 includes an annular, ring-like adaptersleeve 122 that extends axially rearward from the intermediate shoulderflange 120 and that is sized smaller in diameter than the intermediateshoulder flange. The rolling element bearing 106 may be set back intothe housing bore 104 to provide a stepped clearance to accommodate theadapter sleeve 122. The intersection between the intermediate shoulderflange 120 and the adapter sleeve 122 provides an annular shoulder thatcan be dimensioned and shaped to abut against the correspondingintersection between the face of the bearing housing 102 and the bearingbore 104 and that may limit the axial insertion of the adapter sleeveinto the housing bore.

To facilitate alignment and sliding contact with the end cap 112 whenmated, the annular adapter 110 can include a tapered inner annularsurface 124 that is radially oriented towards and circumferentiallyextends about the axis line 108. The tapered inner annular surface 124may taper radially inward towards the axis line 108 as the inner surfaceof the annular adapter 110 extends rearward. As illustrated, the taperedinner annular surface 124 may be associated with the inner surfaces ofthe intermediate shoulder flange 120 and the adapter sleeve 122,although in other instances the tapered inner annular surface 124 mayonly extend over a portion of the axial length of those parts of theannular adapter 110. The outer annular surface 126 of the adapter sleeve122 may have a similar taper such that the two surfaces are parallel,although in other instances the outer annular surface may instead extendparallel with the axis line 108.

To enable the annular adapter 110 to radially contract and expand, theannular adapter can be formed with a split cut 128 disposed through itand which splits the circular structure of the annular adapter. Thesplit cut 128, which may be formed by cutting the annular adapter 110over its axial length, enables the circumference of the annular adapterto contract radially inwardly under radially applied compressive forceand can expand radially outwardly when the force is removed due to aresilient characteristic of the material of the annular adapter. Thesplit cut 128 may be parallel to the axis line 108 or may be disposed atan approximate angle to the axis line.

To mate with the end cap 112, the annular adapter 110 can include atleast one latch arm, and may include a first latch arm 130 and a secondlatch arm 132, which extend axially forward of the intermediate flange120 and which may be positioned at directly opposing locations along thecircumference of the annular adapter 110. The first and second latcharms 130, 132 can be curved to correspond with the circular shape of theannular adapter 110 and may be formed as arcs that curve only partiallyaround the axis line 108. For example, the arc length of each of thefirst and second latch arms 130, 132 may be less than a quarter of the360° circumference of the annular adapter 110. The latch arms 130, 132may be each located at approximately 90° on opposite sides with respectto the location of the split cut 128 in the annular adapter 110. To hookor grasp the end cap 112, the first and second latch arms 130, 132 canhave formed at their axially forward, distal ends a radially inwardlydirected catch or radially inward directed barb 134 that protrudesslightly towards the axis line. The radially inward directed barb 134may be coextensive with the arc length of the first and second latcharms 130, 132 or may extend only over a portion of the arc length of thelatch arms.

The end cap 112 can be a cup-shaped structure including an axial facepanel 140 oriented normal to the axis line 108 and a rearward extendingtapered insert 142 that projects axially rearward from the axial facepanel 140. The tapered insert 142 can be an annular structure, asindicated in FIG. 4, and extends around the axis line 108 such that theinterior of the end cap 112 is hollow. The tapered insert 142 caninclude an annular circumferential wall 144 that that may have an outerdiameter that corresponds to the inner diameter defined by the annularadapter 110. Moreover, the circumferential wall 144 can have a taperedouter surface 146 that tapers radially inwardly as the circumferentialwall extends rearward from the axial face panel 140. The tapered outersurface 146 can be the same or similar to that of the tapered innerannular surface 124 of the annular adapter 110.

Formed proximate the intersection between the axial face panel 140 andthe tapered insert 142 can be an enlarged head 148 that radiallyprotrudes with respect to the circumferential wall 144. The enlargedhead 148 can be diametrically coextensive with the axial face panel 140and may extend, for example, approximately half the axial length of theend cap 112. To accommodate the first and second latch arms 130, 132projecting axially forward of the annular adapter 110, a first cutout150 and a second cutout 152, corresponding in shape to the latch arms,can be formed in the enlarged head 148. The first and second cutouts150, 152 can be located at directly opposite sides of the circumferenceof the enlarged head 148 and are oriented axially rearward so that, whenthe annular adapter 110 and end cap 112 are mated, the first and secondlatch arms 130, 132 can be received in the respective first and secondcutouts 150, 152.

To engage with the latch arms 130, 132, a first recess 154 and a secondrecess 156 can be radially disposed into the circumferential wall 144without breaking through to the interior of the end cap 112; however, inthe event the annular adapter includes only a single latch arm, only asingle recess may be required. The first and second recesses 154, 156can be located completely within the cutouts 150, 152 or may axiallyextend rearward over a part of the tapered outer surface 146. The firstand second recesses 154, 156 can be generally rectangular in shape andcan curve about the curvature of the circumferential wall 144 such thattheir arc length corresponds to the arc length of the first and secondcutouts 150, 152.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, to assemble the bearing cover assembly100 to the bearing housing 102, the annular adapter 110 is axiallyaligned with the housing bore 104 and the adapter sleeve 122 is insertedtherein, for example, by pressing the annular adapter rearward into thehousing bore. To facilitate insertion, the diameter of the adaptersleeve 122 can be reduced by radially compressing the annular adapter110 via the split cut 128. The adapter sleeve 122 can be accommodated inthe stepped clearance provided by offsetting the rolling element bearing106 into the housing bore 104 and the intermediate shoulder flange 120can abut against the axial face of the bearing housing 102. When theadapter sleeve 122 is inserted, the tapered inner annular surface 124 isconcentrically disposed around the axis line 108.

To radially expand the annular adapter 110 within the housing bore 104and retain the bearing cover assembly 100 to the bearing housing 102,the tapered insert 142 of the end cap 112 is axially aligned with andinserted into the adapter hole defined by the tapered inner annularsurface 124 of the adapter sleeve 122. Because of the tapered outersurface 146, the outer diameter of the tapered insert 142 varies overits axial length such that the circumferential wall 144 will initiallybe spaced from the adapter sleeve 122 during insertion, then makesliding contact with the tapered inner annular surface 124 of theannular adapter 110. Further axial insertion of the end cap 112 into theannular adapter 110 by, for example, pushing results in an interferencefit because the diameter of the tapered outer surface 146 of thecircumferential wall 144 exceeds the relative diameter of the taperedinner annular surface 124 of the adapter sleeve 122. The interferencefit causes the tapered insert 142 to radially displace the adaptersleeve 122 against the inner surface of the housing bore 104. Theannular adapter 110, end cap 112, and housing bore 104 are radiallyconstrained, mated, and fixed in place with respect to each other andthereby forcibly retained to the bearing housing 102. The radialexpansions of the annular adapter 110 against the housing bored 104 alsoenables the bearing cover assembly to remain secured to the bearinghousing 102 even if the structures are subject to thermal expansion andcontraction due to changes in the operating temperatures.

To prevent the end cap 112 from axially backing out of the annularadapter 110, the first and second latch arms 130, 132 extending axiallyforward of the intermediate shoulder flange 120 can align with therespective first and second cutouts 150, 152 and make sliding contactover the circumferential wall 144 of the tapered insert 142. As thefirst and second latch arms 130, 132 slide over the circumferential wall144, they can be displaced radially outwards in a cantilevered manner bythe tapered outer surface 146 until the radially inward directed barbs134 are received in the first and second recesses 154, 156 disposed intothe circumferential wall 144. The resilient material of the annularadapter 110 enables the latch arms 130, 132 to radially press theradially inward directed barbs 134 into the recesses 154, 156 andagainst the curved surfaces to grip the circumferential wall 144.Further, the edges of the recesses 154, 156 can catch the radiallyinward directed barbs 134 if they axially slide backwards and therebypositively retain the annular adapter 110 to the end cap 112.

To release the end cap 112 from the annular adapter 110 and disassemblethe bearing cover assembly 100 from the bearing housing 102, forexample, to service the rolling element bearing, the first and secondlatch arms 130, 134 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5 can each include ahole 160 configured to receive a threaded set screw 162. The holes 160and set screws 162 can be directed radially toward the axis line 108 andcan be oriented to radially bear on the first and second recesses 154,156 of the tapered insert 142 disposed within the annular adapter 110.The holes 160 and set screws 162 may be at directly opposite locationswith respect to the circumference of the annular adapter 110. When theset screws 162 are tightened radially inward, they can push off anddisplace the first and second latch arms 130, 132 with respect to thecircumferential wall 144 and release the radially inward directed barbs134 from the recesses 154, 156. That allows the end cap 112 to beaxially removed from the annular adapter 110. Thereafter, to remove theannular adapter 110 from the housing bore 104, the annular adapter canbe radially compressed, by, for example, radially squeezing the splitcut 128 closed and disengaging the adapter sleeve 122 from the housingbore. Accordingly, the bearing cover assembly 100 can be assembled toand removed from a bearing housing 102 already installed on equipment inthe field.

The end cap of the bearing cover assembly can have other configurationsand features to facilitate access to the rolling element bearing and/orthe shaft supported therein. For example, referring to FIG. 6, the endcap 200 can have a multi-part construction and can include a firstsemicircular part 202 and a second semicircular part 204. The first andsecond semicircular parts 202, 204 can be identical in shape,complementary to each other, and, when arranged in mirrored opposition,can be clamped together to produce the end cap 200. The first and secondsemicircular parts 202 can each include structures that correspond tothe axial face panel 206 and the rearward extending tapered insert 208,which may have the same configuration generally described above.

To clamp the first and second semicircular parts 202, 204 together, theycan include a clamp 210 located on one interfacing surface 212 and atongue 214 located on a second interfacing surface 216. The clamp 210can be a bifurcated structure that is adapted to receive and lock downon the tongue 214 when the first and second interfacing surfaces 212,216 are positioned against each other. The clamp 210 and tongue 214therefore hold the end cap 200 together.

To enable access to the rolling element bearing and/or the shaft, theaxial face panel 206 can be configured with a central aperture 220disposed there through. The central aperture 220 can be produced by twosemi-apertures 222 disposed in the first and second semicircular parts202, 204 and can be concentrically aligned with the axis line of thebearing housing. The central aperture 220 can accommodate instrumentssuch as, for example, purge valves for re-lubricating the bearing, speedsensors for measuring the speed of the rotating shaft, and otherfunctions. In another example, the rotating shaft may extend through thecentral aperture 220 to protrude from the end cap 200.

Referring to FIG. 7, there is illustrated a version of the end cap 300configured to form a snap-fit when mated with the annular adapter of thetype described above. Similar to the end caps described above, the endcap 300 includes an axial face panel 302 and a tapered insert 304extending axially rearward from the axial face panel 302 with respect toan axis line 306. To radially expand the annular adapter, the taperedinsert 304 includes a circumferential wall 308 with a tapered outersurface 310. The circumferential wall 308 can have a smaller, taperingdiameter than the enlarged head 312 associated with the axial face panel302. The enlarged head 312 includes cutouts 314 to accept the latch armsextending forwardly from the annular adapter. To form the snap-fit, thecircumferential wall 308 of the tapered insert 304 can include first andsecond recesses 316 on opposite sides of the circumference of thetapered insert and which may have a rectangular outline. The recesses316 can be located in the cutouts 314 disposed partially into thecircumferential wall 308. Located in the recesses 316 can be a radialledge 318 rising outwardly in the recesses. The radial ledge 318 canfollow the circumferential curve of the circumferential wall 308 aboutthe axis line 306 and can be located approximately axial mid-width ofthe rectangular recesses 316. When the end cap 300 is inserted into theannular adapter, the radially inward directed barbs on the latch armscan slide along the circumferential wall 304, be received in therecesses 316, and deflect over the radial ledge 318 to interlock the endcap 300 and annular adapter together. The radial ledge 318 catches theradially inward directed barbs and thereafter can prevent the annularadapter from axially backing off the end cap 300.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is illustrated a version of the end cap 400configured to form a bayonet mount with the annular adapter of the typedescribed above. The end cap 400 again includes an axial face panel 402and a tapered insert 404 axially extending from the axial face panelwith respect to an axis line 406. The tapered insert 404 also includes acircumferential wall 408 with a tapered outer surface 410 to radiallyexpand the annular adapter. Disposed in the enlarged head 412 oncircumferential opposite sides of the end cap 400 can be first andsecond cutouts 414 or recesses to accommodate the latch arms extendingforwardly on the annular adapter. Disposed into the cutouts 414 andradially into the material of the end cap 400 can be a respectivebayonet slot 418 which is configured to form a twist lock with theradially inward directed barb on the latch arm of the annular adapter.The bayonet slot 418 follows the circumferential curve of the end cap400 and extends as an arc partially about the axis line 406. The bayonetslot 418 can have a first axial width 420 and a second axial width 422that is of a smaller dimension than the first axial width 420 asmeasured with respect to the axis line 406. Further, the smaller secondaxial width 422 can be axially offset with respect to the first axialwidth 420.

To assemble the end cap 400 to the annular adapter, that latch arms onthe annular adapter can be inserted into the cutouts 414 so that theradially inward directed barbs are received in the wider first axialwidth 420 of the bayonet slot 418. Subsequently twisting the end cap 400with respect to the annular adapter will direct the radially inwarddirected barb to the smaller second axial width 422 which can serve toaxially position the end cap 400 with respect to the annular adapter ina manner that can control the degrees of radial expansion of the bearingcover assembly.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and “at least one” andsimilar referents in the context of describing the invention (especiallyin the context of the following claims) are to be construed to coverboth the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein orclearly contradicted by context. The use of the term “at least one”followed by a list of one or more items (for example, “at least one of Aand B”) is to be construed to mean one item selected from the listeditems (A or B) or any combination of two or more of the listed items (Aand B), unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. All methods described hereincan be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated hereinor otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and allexamples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, isintended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose alimitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. Nolanguage in the specification should be construed as indicating anynon-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bearing cover assembly comprising: an annularadapter including an adapter sleeve axially insertable into a housingbore of a bearing housing, the adapter sleeve including a tapered innerannular surface; and an end cap including a tapered insert with acircumferential wall axially extending from an axial face panel andconfigured for insertion into the annular adapter, the circumferentialwall including a tapered outer surface configured to slidingly engagethe tapered inner annular surface and radially expand the adaptersleeve.
 2. The bearing cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the annularadapter includes an intermediate shoulder flange extending between afirst axial end and a second axial end thereof, the first axial endconfigured to abut against the bearing housing.
 3. The bearing coverassembly of claim 2, wherein the annular adapter includes a latch armaxially extending from the second axial end of the intermediate shoulderflange, the latch arm including a radially inward directed barb at thedistal end thereof.
 4. The bearing cover assembly of claim 3, whereinthe circumferential wall includes a recess radially disposed into andarcing partially about the circumferential wall, the recess configuredto receive the radially inward directed barb on the latch arm.
 5. Thebearing cover assembly of claim 4, wherein the recess includes a radialledge to form a snap-fit with the radially inward barb on the latch arm.6. The bearing cover assembly of claim 4, wherein the recess includes abayonet slot to form a bayonet mount with the radially inward directedbarb on the latch arm.
 7. The bearing cover assembly of claim 1, whereinthe end cap is formed of a first semicircular part and a secondsemicircular part clamped together.
 8. The bearing cover assembly ofclaim 7, wherein the end cap defines a central aperture when the firstsemicircular part and the second semicircular part are clamped together.9. The bearing cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the annular adapterdefines a split cut facilitating radial expansion of the annularadapter.
 10. The bearing cover assembly of claim 9, wherein the splitcut axially traverses the annular adapter.
 11. A method of assembling abearing cover assembly to a bearing housing comprising: inserting anadapter sleeve extending from a first portion of an annular adapter intoa housing bore of the bearing housing, the adapter sleeve including atapered inner annular surface defining an adapter hole; inserting atapered insert of an end cap into the adapter hole so that the taperedinner annular surface slidingly engages a tapered outer surface of acircumferential wall of the end cap; and radially expanding the adaptersleeve within the housing bore.
 12. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising hooking a radially inward directed barb disposed on a latcharm axially extending from a second portion of the annular adapter, thesecond portion being opposite the first portion, the inward directedbarb being received by a recess radially disposed into thecircumferential wall.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprisingforming a snap-fit between the radially inward directed barb on thelatch arm with a radial ledge located in the recess.
 14. The method ofclaim 12 further comprising forming a bayonet mount by twisting the endcap with respect to the annular adapter to receive the radially inwarddirected barb into a bayonet slot disposed in the recess.
 15. A bearinghousing for supporting a rotating shaft comprising: a bearing housingincluding a rolling element bearing installed in a housing bore, thehousing bore defining an axis line; a bearing cover assembly assembledto the bearing housing, the bearing cover assembly including: an annularadapter having a tapered inner surface defining an adapter hole, theannular adapter axially inserted into and radially constrained by thehousing bore; and an end cap having a tapered insert with a taperedouter surface, the end cap axially inserted into the adapter hole withthe tapered outer surface adjacent the tapered inner annular surfacesuch that the end cap is radially constrained by the annular adapter.16. The bearing housing of claim 15, wherein the annular adapter has anintermediate shoulder flange extending between a first axial end and asecond axial end thereof; and a first latch arm and a second latch armeach axially extending away from the bearing housing on the second axialend of the intermediate shoulder flange, each of the first latch arm andthe second latch arm comprising a radially inward directed barb at thedistal end thereof.
 17. The bearing housing of claim 16, wherein the endcap includes a first recess and a second recess radially disposed intoand arcing partially about the tapered insert, the first and secondrecesses are configured to receive the radially inward directed barb onthe respective first and second latch arms.
 18. The bearing housing ofclaim 15, wherein the annular adapter defines a split cut facilitatingradial expansion of the annular adapter.